A Saudi Ministry of Interior official has said that al-Qaeda detainees confirmed they planned to kill government and security officials by sending them various gifts which include toxic. The official, who requested anonymity, said al Qaeda had planned to rob banks and companies to finance their operations, saying: "One of the means by which those arrested were planning to carry out the assassinations was through the use of toxic perfumes they were going to send as gifts."

Saudi Arabia announced last month the arrest of 149 al Qaeda members in recent months. These activists were collecting money and recruiting personnel to carry out attacks on government installations, security officials and the media.

The suspects, who revealed their plans for the Saudi security forces, belong to 19 of al-Qaeda cells and include 125 Saudis and 25 foreigners.

According to the Saudi Interior Ministry, these cells had links to militants in Somalia and Yemen.